While one of Japan's largest airlines is eyeing more international growth next year, the expansion plans of one of the country's smaller carriers could prove just as significant in the long term. Having already expanded dramatically at Tokyo's Haneda Airport this year, All Nippon Airways (ANA) is preparing for its next wave of international growth, at the city's Nar-ita Airport. Meanwhile, low-cost carrier Jetstar Japan will launch its first international flight, becoming the latest of Japan's new low-cost carriers (LCCs) to step into an arena previously dominated by the majors. Jetstar Japan's international debut will be on the Osaka-Hong Kong route on Feb. 28. The carrier was established in 2012 as a joint venture between Qantas and Japan Airlines (JAL) and so far has concentrated on building a domestic network. However, expansion to international markets has long been flagged by its owners as a key to achieving profitability.
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